Tuesday, 11th April 2006 (3757 views)

The actual ball used in the football World Cup final - as well as for the next four years by the eventual champions - is the latest of the sports' equipment to be given the currently fashionable 'bling' treatment, according to the Times newspaper.

Although it will not be actual gold, it is the most recent example of the colour or the metal being used as a marketing tool to heighten the game's profile. Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho famously wore a pair of boots last year adorned with 24-carat gold.

The gold Adidas 'Teamgeist' ball, meaning 'team spirit', will be used for the final of the competition in place of the plain black and white version, which will be the official ball for the duration of the rest of the tournament.

It is the first World Cup since the 1966 event in England to use a ball without logos, after the Adidas Telstar was introduced for the competition when it was held in Mexico in 1970.

Fans of each of the 32 teams taking part in football's gala event may not like to see the team using a golden ball for each game they play for the next four years after this summer in Germany, but there is no doubting they will enjoy the acclaim of being world champions that comes along with it.

 

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